Conservation Forester I: Field Operations & Restoration

Austin Cary Forest Campus; Gainesville (FL); On-site; USD 28,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

Austin Cary Forest Campus in Gainesville, FL, seeks a position assisting in land management operations at Hickory Sink Forest. You will support hardwood control, apply herbicides for invasive species, plant trees, perform road and boundary maintenance, and participate in restoration projects.

The role includes planning or participating in prescribed burns, preparing fire breaks, monitoring post-burn results, and enforcing policies with visitors.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in forestry, agricultural science, rangeland management, environmental science, or a closely related field.

Responsibilities

• Assist in land management operations on Hickory Sink Forest including hardwood control, herbicide use to manage invasive species, tree planting, road work, boundary maintenance, and related.
• Participates in and/or plans prescribed burns.
• Attend to prescribed fire-related operational needs, including preparing fire breaks, participating/managing burns, and mop-up and monitoring post-burn conditions/results.
• Maintains equipment in ready status.
• Scouts, documents, and initiates control efforts for invasive species.
• Assists with the implementation of restoration projects.
• Enforces FFGS and UF policies with visitors, including natural resources protection, in a tactful manner.
• Assist in infrastructure and maintenance activities throughout the Hickory Sink Forest.
• Operates and maintains heavy equipment used in land management, including bulldozers, front-end loaders, chemical sprayers, farm tractors, mowers, trucks, trailers, ATVs, chainsaws, and similar.
• Maintains roads, fire breaks, property boundaries, buildings, and related.
• Assists with related administrative functions, including purchase requests and work order requests.
• Coordination with researchers and instructors on natural resource-related projects, including assisting with logistics for research studies, assisting with tours that support education efforts, and assistance with outreach/Extension programs.
• May engage with students on specific projects or courses, assist with special outreach projects, and irregularly assist with management of other School-managed properties.

Education

Bachelor's degree in forestry, agricultural science, rangeland management, environmental science, or a closely related field

Job description

Austin Cary Forest Campus in Gainesville, FL, seeks a position assisting in land management operations at Hickory Sink Forest. You will support hardwood control, apply herbicides for invasive species, plant trees, perform road and boundary maintenance, and participate in restoration projects.

The role includes planning or participating in prescribed burns, preparing fire breaks, monitoring post-burn results, and enforcing policies with visitors.